Windshield Wipers Skipping Across Windshield

[grasscutter]

It's actually the left wiper doing that and it does it intermittently. Sometimes it's quiet. Sometimes it skips.

The rubber blade part seems soft and supple. Can't see anything wrong with it.

The brand is Bosch Edge I think.

Any ideas as to why?

 

[Propflux01]

I'd say Dirty. Clean and wipe blade rubber with alcohol and a paper towel. Sans just a 'bad blade', The only other usual issue I can think of is the windshield being warped. Especially if the glass has been replaced at some time.

 

[fsdork]

If the blades are the same size on both sides, a good troubleshooting step would be to swap them and see what changes, if anything.

Besides that, my suspicion would be aging blades, or too little water on the windshield when they're sweeping.

Also, depending on the structure of the wiper arm, too little tension on the spring (or similar effects if pivot points are corroded) could be the cause. On my '95 Civic, hitting the spring and its connection points on the underside of the wiper arm with WD40 once in a while helped reduce chatter.

 

[NiwradND]

blade is getting old, may have to replace it

 

[Brian123]

It's actually the left wiper doing that and it does it intermittently. Sometimes it's quiet. Sometimes it skips.

The rubber blade part seems soft and supple. Can't see anything wrong with it.

The brand is Bosch Edge I think.

Any ideas as to why?

Bosch makes great Fuel Pumps. LOL
Let me help you out here, there are a few things, maybe 2 things, it could be 3 things.

1) Clean the windshield off with Palmolive or Dawn. I remember Ivory and Joy.
2) Use Car Wax on the Windshield when everything dries up from number 1
3) Clean off the Wiper Blades

If 1 then 2 and then 3 does not work, let us know here.

 

[SShooterZ]

I had this happen when some minuscule drops of tree sap hit the windshield. Thought I had it all wiped off but sure enough, started to get a little line on the part of the windshield where the wiper stops. Washed it all again, windshield and blades with some soapy water and the issue went away.

 

[Zee09]

Blades that skip are happy

 

[JohnnyG]

Just clean the windshield.

If I encounter that issue, and it's been MANY years, I do the following:
Lift the blades or block them above the windshield.
Clean the glass with Windex
Clean the glass again with lacquer thinner
Clean the glass again with 90% isopropyl alcohol
Clean the glass again with window cleaner
Wipe the edge of the wiper blades with the alcohol.
Done.

 

[MParr]

It could be that your wiper blades need cleaning. Clean with rubbing alcohol and cotton balls.
You may need new blades.
Clean your windshield thoroughly.
Step 1: Clean with Windex and microfiber.
Step 2: Clean with Windex and a fresh clay bar.
Step 3: Clean with Windex and microfiber.
Done.

 

[researcher]

For the windshields I've had where you do everything and the glass "looks" clean, but blades still have issues.. only two things left. First is try using Bon-Ami (glass safe) cleanser on the windshield glass, that will get rid of anything! and no it won't scratch the glass.

If that doesn't cure the problem, the ultimate fix is like @fsdork was talking about, the tension springs on the wiper arm. I've ended up replacing the entire arm and no more issues. When all brands of wiper blades ended up chatter, or streaking, it was time to replace the arm.

 

[iCurious]

I frequently clean the windshield and wiper blades. If it still does it, it's either the wiper blade is bad or the angle is off.

 

[Rand]

What vehicle? its actually relevant to your problem.

 

[awguy]

The angle of the wiper blade against the glass can cause chatter assuming all else is clean. A bent wiper arm could be the culprit.

 

[troymcclure]

One other thing to consider. Are you using rain x or does your washer fluid come with a rain/dirt repellent? Those make blades skip big time. Usually the larger blade. If so, strip it off with a glass polish. Bon Ami or RainX glass polish.

 

[Slick3914]

I'd say Dirty. Clean and wipe blade rubber with alcohol and a paper towel. Sans just a 'bad blade', The only other usual issue I can think of is the windshield being warped. Especially if the glass has been replaced at some time.

Wiping with a bit of 303 after cleaning with alcohol can help as well.

 

[97prizm]

It's actually the left wiper doing that and it does it intermittently. Sometimes it's quiet. Sometimes it skips.

The rubber blade part seems soft and supple. Can't see anything wrong with it.

The brand is Bosch Edge I think.

Any ideas as to why?

Residue build up embedded in the glass. Get some glass scrub. Glass science, Stones, and a commercial product at Napa all work well.

 

[Propflux01]

Wiping with a bit of 303 after cleaning with alcohol can help as well.

I forgot to mention using a Nanoskin Autoscrub (or claybar) on the glass might help as well.

 

[GI_GRIFF]

Blades that skip are happy

Or Gay!

 

[Selmorides]

Time to buy new blades

 

[dkryan]

Just clean the windshield.

If I encounter that issue, and it's been MANY years, I do the following:
Lift the blades or block them above the windshield.
Clean the glass with Windex
Clean the glass again with lacquer thinner
Clean the glass again with 90% isopropyl alcohol
Clean the glass again with window cleaner
Wipe the edge of the wiper blades with the alcohol.
Done.

LOL!!!

It might be easier and faster to get a new windshield installed….!